As the sun gets a little brighter and the air a little warmer, you probably find yourself wanting to spend more time outside with friends and family. But unless you want to all plop down in the grass, you’ll need a place built to entertain.
Dreaming about the perfect outdoor entertaining space? Chances are you’ve started thinking about putting in a patio.
Wondering if you could afford one yourself?
The cost of a backyard patio depends on a few factors. Here’s what you’ll want to know before calling your patio installer.
Why You Should Put in a Patio
This part’s no secret. Patios are awesome for a few reasons.
1. Patios are gathering places.
A patio takes the comfort of your living room and brings it out into the sunshine.
Whether you want to host a big party or have soul-stirring conversations with a few close friends, patios provide the ideal setting. They’re spaces people want to come to. So if you love to entertain, patios are a must-have.
2. Patios make your landscape look better
Want a backyard that everybody wants?
A stunning patio will turn your neighbors so green with envy, they’ll blend in with your grass.
Patios look sophisticated and add dimension to your landscape. Need some proof? Just check out these examples:
3. Patios increase the value of your home.
Since they’re such desirable features, patios increase the price your home could fetch on the market.
While the exact sale amount will vary, you can bet a patio will catch the eye of anyone browsing real estate listings.
What do I need to consider in my patio cost?
To determine what type of patio you can afford, there are a few things you’ll need to consider:
- Size
- Material
- Features
Size
To estimate your patio’s cost, you first need to consider size.
How much space do you have to work with? How many people do you need to accommodate at one time? Do you want a grill or fireplace? How much furniture do you want to include?
Here are some general rules of thumb:
- A space of 250 square feet can comfortably hold six to eight people
- 800-900 square feet can comfortably host a group of 15-20
- You’ll want an extra 2-3 feet of paving around all furniture as walk around space
- Two chairs require 35 square feet of space
- An outdoor couch with two chairs is about 130 square feet
- A medium-sized grill needs 30 square feet
- A firepit with room for seating needs 200 square feet
Materials
Once you’ve determined how much space you have to work with, you’ll need to decide what materials you want to use.
Here are some common options:
- Concrete — versatile, durable and easy to maintain. (Plus, they’re usually very affordable).
- Brick — sturdy, has a classic look that goes with many styles and can be used in many popular patterns
- Flagstone — various types, earthy, timeless appearance but difficult to work with
- Pavers — various colors and designs and they don’t require grout or mortar
- Cut stone — used for formal applications, looks great but difficult to work with
- Loose material — gaining in popularity, these are easy to work with and fairly inexpensive
Features
Here’s where you really fill up the space and make it homey.
What features do you want your patio to include?
Do you need a fireplace for those summer nights? How about a grill or outdoor kitchen for those weekend barbeques? Do you want composite decking or retaining walls?
You can style your patio to fit your needs and your aesthetic. Just remember, the more patio features you want, the more expensive it’s going to be.
How much will my patio cost?
Now to crunch some numbers.
Because you want your project to be unique and customized to your preferences, you’ll want to talk with your local patio installer. That’s the best way to get an accurate estimate.
But to help you ballpark your project, here are a few scenarios and what they’d cost:
Conclusion
The cost of putting in a backyard patio will vary depending on the size, materials and features you want to include.
To keep your project in scope, it’s a good idea to establish a firm budget first. Then once you know what you have to work with, a landscaping professional will help you decide which choices will make the best use of your yard and budget.
Use this article as your starting point and let’s bring your backyard to life.
